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Statewide Propositions

Below are capsule summaries of the statewide propositions from our Fall 2012 Voter Guide. You can find a longer explanation of our position on Proposition 35 here and our position on Prop. 37 here. Longer statements on the other propositions will be posted as they become available.

The Peace and Freedom Party is neither for nor against Proposition 30. The unions that sponsored the “Millionaires’ Tax” gave up and joined forces with the Governor. This initiative raises taxes for the wealthiest Californians for 7 years. It also includes a 4-year 1/4 percent sales tax increase. We need the revenue, but reject the regressive sales tax. You decide.

For the official summary and analysis of Proposition 30, as published by the Secretary of State, click here.

This is an attempt by two bipartisan, business-oriented groups to make the budget process work better. But the main defect with the current state budget process is that it is difficult or impossible for the state to raise sufficient revenue to pay for the services Californians need. Tinkering will not fix that. Vote No.

For the official summary and analysis of Proposition 31, as published by the Secretary of State, click here.

This is yet another attempt at what the bosses call the “paycheck protection act” as they try to destroy the few unions we have left. Prop. 32 restricts use of payroll-deducted funds by unions and corporations for political purposes. Working people need to use their organizations and pool their resources to make political expenditures. (If only the unions made better choices.) Corporations can find plenty of ways to make theirs. Vote No.

For the official summary and analysis of Proposition 32, as published by the Secretary of State, click here.

This is a replay of 2010’s Proposition 17, in which auto insurance companies – specifically Mercury General – attempted to mandate an increase in rates in the guise of providing “loyalty discounts” to certain customers. What it really does is discriminate against people who have been without a car for a while. Vote No, again.

For the official summary and analysis of Proposition 33, as published by the Secretary of State, click here.

The Peace and Freedom Party gives critical support to this latest attempt to repeal the death penalty. We look forward to a time when voters do not need to be enticed to end state murder. We are opposed to the automatic imposition of “life in prison without the possibility of parole,” which is required under current law. Mandatory sentencing neither deters criminal activity nor promotes a just society. Vote Yes, but keep working to make the justice system just.

A longer discussion of this proposition is now available here. The following capsule summary is from our Fall 2012 Voter Guide.

Human trafficking is a real problem. The implementation of this measure will not solve it. It increases mandatory minimum sentences, adds people to sex offender registries, and imposes unconstitutional invasion of internet privacy. It emphasizes sex trafficking over trafficking in garment workers, farm workers or domestic servants. It does nothing to help provide decent jobs and safe working conditions as an alternative for people who are forced to accept indentured servitude. Vote No.

For the official summary and analysis of Proposition 35, as published by the Secretary of State, click here.

This measure would make the present system less draconian. It would release many inmates and return them to their families. However, it leaves out some categories of third-strikers, and does nothing for second-strikers. We support overturning “three strikes” and all mandatory minimum sentencing. We support re-sentencing in all cases, and oppose arbitrary discrimination based on the nature of the conviction. Vote Yes, and keep fighting.

For the official summary and analysis of Proposition 36, as published by the Secretary of State, click here.

This is a graduated tax increase that affects every worker who currently pays California income tax. We support increasing taxes on the rich, who can afford it, and not on low-income workers, who cannot. Vote No.

For the official summary and analysis of Proposition 38, as published by the Secretary of State, click here.

This proposition permanently ends a tax loophole for big business. It dedicates a little over half the revenue for the first five years to fund energy efficiency and clean energy projects. While we oppose ballot-box budgeting, and advocate publicly owned energy projects under worker control instead of “public-private partnerships,” we support this as the only progressive tax measure on the ballot. Vote Yes.

For the official summary and analysis of Proposition 39, as published by the Secretary of State, click here.

The Peace and Freedom Party is neither for nor against Proposition 40. Struggles over drawing district lines amount to competitive gerrymandering. The current system of “winner take all” elections in single-member districts controlled by one of two dominant parties will never represent the voters fairly or accurately. We need proportional representation of multiple political views and political parties. The choice between one redistricting plan or another is six of one, half a dozen of the other. Take your pick.

For the official summary and analysis of Proposition 40, as published by the Secretary of State, click here.

Register and vote

To vote on November 6 you must register by October 22. You can do so online if you have a valid drivers license or DMV id card. When you register to vote, please register with the Peace and Freedom Party.

To see your ballot and find information on all the candidates, visit Smart Voter.